UK guard Amber Smith, right, sits on the bench watching an instant replay of the game against Georgia Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011 in Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Ky. Smith has not played this season due to an injury. Photo by Jonathan Palmer

UK guard Amber Smith, right, sits on the bench watching an instant replay of the game against Georgia Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011 in Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Ky. Smith has not played this season due to an injury. Photo by Jonathan Palmer

Premium content for only $0.99

"You do the math there, if we're fortunate enough to win another couple here — I don't know if we can — but if we can, we'll be in the NCAA Tournament, and so the window for her opportunity is closing," Mitchell said.

Smith, who will use this season as a redshirt, said a few weeks ago that the decision was made more difficult by her desire to go out with fellow seniors and good friends Victoria Dunlap and Carly Morrow.

"Wanting to play with them and go out with them because I came in with them," she said to describe her mixed emotions. "We're definitely the class that has changed things around at Kentucky and how things are done."

But she seemed to see the writing on the wall, even in January before she was cleared.

"With every game that passes, I'm sort of leaning toward coming back next year because that's another game I can't play," she said.